Australian National University
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Life at ANU and in Canberra: What to Expect
By Lily Amos, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Coming to ANU as an exchange student, there is quite a lot to get your head around — a new city, a new campus, a new academic system. Here is what I wish someone had told me before I arrived. Courses and Academics ANU runs on a major and minor system, which means that as an exchange student, you may (depending on your course) have a lot more freedom to explore subject areas outside your home degree than you might expect. For me, studying Politics and International Relations, this has been one of the best parts of the whole experience. I’ve…
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Festivals, Events, and Why Canberra Surprised Me
By Lily Amos, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Before I moved to Canberra, my expectations for its social calendar were, honestly, modest. It’s a planned city, a government city, famously described as “a good sheep station ruined” — not exactly the language of a thriving events scene. I was wrong, and I’m glad about it. Canberra turns out to have a genuinely packed festivals calendar, and the city’s layout — all that green open space, that lake, the mountain backdrop — actually makes it a spectacular setting for big outdoor events. Here are the highlights worth knowing about. Canberra Balloon Spectacular Every March, hot air balloons launch over the city…
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Taking Student Journalism Worldwide: My Experience at The Mancunion vs Woroni
By Lily Amos, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia When I moved from Manchester to Canberra, I knew I was signing up for a new continent, a new university, and a new climate. What I didn’t quite expect was how different student journalism would feel on the other side of the world. This year, I’ve had the very fun, very chaotic experience of taking my student journalism “career” international — from The Mancunion at the University of Manchester to Woroni at the Australian National University. It’s been eye-opening in the best way, and it’s really changed how I think about what student media can be. I’ve spent two years at The Mancunion while studying in Manchester. In…
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Why You Should Join a Society During Your Year Abroad: Friendship, Travel & Greener Choices
By Lydia, Australian National University, Australia Going on a year abroad is an incredible opportunity to explore a new country, experience a different culture, and grow as a person. But if you really want to make the most of it, I’ve found that joining a society is one of the best ways to do so. During my time at the Australian National University (ANU), I joined the competitive cheerleading team, and it completely transformed my experience. Before I joined, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t cheered since high school. I thought I’d meet people in classes or at events, but nothing compares to the connections you make…
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Navigating the End. Some Reflections and Tips After Coming Home.
By Alex Moore, Australian National University (ANU), Australia I found myself sitting back in my childhood bedroom, a year and a day after I first left to go to Australia, feeling like the past year was just a figment of my imagination. It’s hard to comprehend everything that has happened when you are back where you started. I was excited to see my family and friends again, and it’s been so nice to catch up on everything we have missed. But it’s also strange as people talk about their graduations and finishing the uni chapters of their lives. I think, especially because I live very rurally, the change in pace…
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How I Made My Journey Home More Interesting
By Alex Moore, Australian National University (ANU), Australia The thought of another 24-hour+ travel day was slightly daunting, but I managed to find the first and only layover I have ever been excited for. I found a $950 (c.£475) flight home that involved a 15-hour layover in Tokyo. This meant that I had a 9-hour morning flight from Sydney (a lot cheaper than flying anywhere from Canberra itself), then an evening and night in Tokyo before the 14-hour flight into London. I landed in Japan at around 5 pm (after having the whole row to myself), so I quickly got the train to my hotel to check in, shower, and…
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The Exchange Comedown : Navigating Reverse Culture Shock
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Why Coming Home After Exchange Was Harder Than Leaving If you’ve found yourself on Manchester on the Road, I suspect you’re either deciding whether or not to do a year abroad, or maybe you’ve already been allocated your destination and are looking for more info before you leave. If this is you, I’m sure you’ve already come across loads of information preparing you for all the ways things will be different in your exchange country — culturally, academically, and socially. Living in a completely different place with a different history and culture… your way of life inevitably changes too. It’s great to be…
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How to Pack for a Year at ANU
by Alex Moore, Australian National University, Australia When it comes to packing, I definitely got caught up in thinking about Australia in the summer. However, as I have learnt, Canberra winters are no joke. When you arrive in July, it will be around 10-15 degrees, so you may want to reconsider packing your puffer. It may not sound as cold as the UK, but for some reason, the cold just hits differently out here (and their buildings aren’t as insulated as they are at home, which doesn’t help). The saving grace of winter is that it does not rain to the extent it does in Manchester (thankfully), and the showers…
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A Wholesome Wine Tasting Day at Brindabella Hills
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’ve been in Canberra for more than a few months, you’ve probably had that feeling: you’ve been to the same brunch spots, walked around Lake Burley Griffin a few too many times, and you’re wondering what else there is to do that’s actually different. Cue: Brindabella Hills Winery. About a 30-minute drive from the city centre, this spot feels like a complete escape. Nestled in the foothills of the Brindabellas, the views alone are worth the trip — rolling vineyards, soft autumn light, and sweeping mountain ranges in every direction. It’s the perfect mix of peaceful, a little bit fancy, and still…
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A Month in the Philippines: The Ultimate Island-Hopping Escape 🌴🥥
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia With over 7,000 islands, Incredible nature, and some of the clearest waters in Southeast Asia- If you’re an Aussie exchange student and staring down a generous four-month university break, you’ve gotta go to The Philippines. Out of everywhere I’ve travelled, this country completely blew me away. I genuinely believe the Philippines has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is so blue it doesn’t feel real, and every island brings something different. From waterfalls and shipwreck dives to quiet coves and unforgettable sunsets. But it’s not just the landscapes. What made this trip unforgettable were the people: warm, helpful,…
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A love letter to Sydney 💌
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia As my time in Australia comes to a close, one city stays with me more than any other: Sydney. It’s not just the harbour views or postcard-perfect beaches. It’s something harder to pin down a particular pace, a way of being. Sydney offers an ease that’s difficult to describe until you’ve lived inside it for a while.
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What It’s Really Like Going to a Festival in Australia ?
By Nina Vincent, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia If you’re a music lover, festival goer, or simply curious about what it’s like to party under the Aussie sun – this one’s for you. After spending nearly a year living in Australia as a UK exchange student, I’ve had the chance to experience a few festivals that honestly changed how I see live music events. Here’s what sets Aussie festivals apart, plus a few tips to help you make the most of the experience while you’re here. The Vibe: More Chilled, More Clean, More Respectful The first thing that struck me was the overall vibe. Australian festivals are much more chilled out.…
